Honda won the “8 Hours of Suzuka” race on Sunday, and Joan Zarco’s debut triumph brought her victory.
The LCR Honda driver, instead of enjoying a free weekend during the summer break, took part in the famous endurance race in Japan.
Along with Takumi Takahashi and Tepei Nagoe, it brought victory to the Japanese manufacturer.
This victory was a record eighth for Takahashi and the first in his debut appearance for Zark.
The final minutes of the eight-hour race were stunning as Honda received a 40-second penalty.
But they survived, finishing 7.86 seconds ahead of the second-placed Yamalube YART Yamaha team.
Honda’s victory was their 30th in 45 editions of the “8 Hours of Suzuka”.
The win was a welcome reprieve from Honda’s troubled MotoGP season.
The manufacturer, which lost its champion Marko Marquez at the end of last season, is suffering another bad year.
Despite the new concession rules benefiting them the most, Honda has yet to turn its fortunes around.
Zarko did not finish further than 12th place in nine weekly grand prix races this season –
Factory teammates Luka Marini and Đoan Mir continue to struggle.
Zarco will be the oldest rider in MotoGP next season when Ales Espargaro retires, and Honda are relying on his experience to help their development.
The victory at the “8 Hours of Suzuka” was, at least, a reminder that the once powerful brand has not forgotten how to win.
Source: www.moto-berza.com
